A/N- Once again, thank you kindly for the comments, PM's suggestions given to me over the last few chapters. I really do appreciate every comment you lovely people give me. This is going to reach it's natural conclusion soon. I fear I've maybe rushed to that point and made it a bit fairytale-ish... However, those who have stuck with me deserve to read the last remaining chapters. Hope you enjoy. Now on with it...
"You're really cute when you get all jealous,"
I whisper bringing an end to the silence that had comfortably fallen around us in the last ten minutes. I prop myself up on my elbow, tracing soft circles on Emily's bare stomach as she stays watching me. Her hair is messed and her cheeks flush but it didn't ease the tingle over my whole body when I peered down at her. She always had this incredibly irresistible post sex look about her and it always made me want her more and more.
"I wasn't jealous," She claims, keeping her face straight and her eyes on me. "I wasn't,"
"You're such a shit liar, Em. You were about to go back into that bar and claw her eyes out," We both laugh and I shuffle my body closer, pressing it up against the warmth of hers. I swoop down, kissing her lips once then twice, the second slightly longer and more wanting than the first. I stroke her cheek afterwards, my thumb caressing the same spot over and over again. "Joking aside, I'm never ever going to hurt you again,"
"I know that,"
"Do you though?" I ask seriously. "I hurt you so much before, I wouldn't blame you if you had doubts about everything, about me,"
"I don't have doubts," She responds, tangling her fingers through my hair. "I just... It's nothing, it doesn't matter,"
"No go on, tell me, what is it?"
"I just... I really need you to promise me something,"
"Anything,"
"The pain I felt, the stuff I went through, I can't go through that again, not now I have Liv, I won't do that to her," She explains, the tone of her voice changing. I know she isn't finished, I know not to speak so I keep silent and wait for her to continue, which she does. "I'm not naive enough to think that all this will be perfect for us, we'll fight over stupid stuff, my job takes up a lot of my time, not to mention Olivia but just promise, promise me that no matter what's thrown at us, we'll come through it because now I've got you back, I really couldn't lose you all over again,"
"Hey, shhh," I hush, sliding myself back down onto the bed, settling my head on her pillow, instead of my own. I looked into her eyes for a split second and could see they were on the verge of being soaked with tears. Seeing her so vulnerable and knowing I was to blame, made my heart ache in my chest. "You're not going to lose me, okay? Never,"
"No matter how hard things get sometimes,"
"No matter what," I repeat softly. "We'll bicker, I'll probably do things to piss you off sometimes but I'm never ever going to run out on you, I won't fuck this up again because how I feel for you, I can't imagine ever feeling that for anyone else,"
"You haven't promised," She says, smiling lightly as her fingers clasp around mine.
"I promise," I grin, leaning a few inches forward to gift her with a loving kiss, my top lip teasing hers briefly before I linger. "I promise, I promise, I promise,"
"Naomi," She giggles loudly, playfully pushing my face away from hers. "You're such an idiot sometimes,"
"Jesus, that's fucking charmin', ain't it? You've never lost the ability to make a girl feel special Fitch,"
"You're my idiot," She announces, my smile grows massively and I'm fully aware that now, I probably am looking like a bit of a fool. I feel her hand snake round to the back of my neck, her fingers twirling a round a few strands of my hair. "Two weeks ago when I saw you, I really wanted to hate you,"
"Hmmm," I muse for a moment. I remember the look on her face when she told me to go, more painfully, I remember the feeling in my gut. It was like someone had repeatedly punched me there until I couldn't breathe.
"I'm glad you came back to me," She confesses, cuddling her body closer to mine. Her right leg drapes over mine, her hand rests on my stomach, her fingers tease around my belly button. The warmth of her skin pressed up against mine brings back so much familiar feeling. I used to adore these moments, now I can say I still do. I definitely took it all for granted before. "Did you really know you loved me all those years ago?"
"Uh huh, I remember the day I knew for sure,"
"Tell me about it,"
"Really?" I question, peering down at her. She nods, her eyes closing over. "We went to that really lame house party. I remember getting there and everyone from class was huddled around Katie, talking some bullshit about boys or something, I didn't stick around to listen much because I came looking for you,"
"How did you know I was there?"
"I didn't," I answer. "I guess I just hoped that once you found out I was going to be there, you'd be there too,"
"It's pretty much the only reason I let Katie drag me along," She laughs, we both do.
"I found you alone in the garden. First thought was how beautiful you looked, you made this clenching feeling in my chest, I didn't understand it before then. I just knew I always wanted to be near you so I sat with you,"
"You didn't speak for ten minutes," She giggles infectiously. God, I love that. We just sat in silence for a bit, sharing a cigarette.
"You made me nervous," I admit with a smile. A lot of the time she still does. "I didn't know what to say,"
"People usually start with hello," She teases me, her fingers outlining my face. "I'll never forget the overwhelming urge I had to kiss you that night,"
Emily moved first and I liked it. It confirmed everything I felt. Katie ruined it of course. No sooner had Emily kissed me for the first time, her Sister appeared and made her feelings known. Everything was aimed at me, I was the 'manipulating bitch' who was trying to confuse Emily. That brought an abrupt end to that night but I went home and knew I couldn't wait to see her again. I don't think a day has ever passed since then where Emily hasn't entered my thoughts at some point.
"I've got an overwhelming urge to kiss you now," I say before doing just that. Capturing her lips with mine, I draw her in and deepen the kiss I'd basically craved since our last. This was the thing about Emily. I could never get enough. We break and she returns to her previous position, head on my shoulder and arm draped across my body. I sigh contently. "What time will Olivia be back?"
"Katie's bringing her round early, about nine I think. Jake has planned some romantic getaway or something, it's their two year anniversary soon," She explains, grinning massively afterwards. "Olivia is gonna be so excited that you're staying,"
"You think so?" I ask, my eyebrow raising.
"She hates when you go as it is,"
"Yeah but it's always just been you and her, it's totally different me staying here all the time,"
"Naomi," She hushes, placing her finger to my lips. "She adores you. I've never seen her like this with anyone before. It'll be okay, trust me,"
"I do. Do you want me to be there with you when you tell her?"
"I'd really like it if you were," She asks and I immediately agree. "I'd rather talk to Katie on my own though, if that's okay?"
"Seen as I already know what she's gonna say, I guess that's okay," I laugh lightly, readjusting the sheet around both our bodies. "You're crazy, it's far too soon, I'll hurt you again, all the predictable Katie Fitch specials that I've heard before. You should call your Mum, let her join in, I'm willing to bet she'll add the 'she'll fuck you up again' line,"
"I think we'll just deal with my Sister first,"
"Probably best," I agree, chewing on my lip where the taste of my favourite red head still lingers. "Not sure I could deal with both on the same day, even if your Mum is miles away,"
Ten more minutes passed before the night caught up with Emily. She fell asleep pretty quickly, huddled up into my shoulder as her light breath tickles my neck. I stay still for a while, ensuring she's properly into a slumber before quietly and carefully slipping out of bed. I search in the dark for a pair of loose shorts and a vest, pulling them on as I leave the bedroom, silently closing the door behind me. I squint my eyes trying to readjust them to the light before padding down the spiral stairs into the front room then through to the kitchen.
Zoe wasn't asleep either. She left the club with us and shared another couple of drinks here. It was quite late when we opted for bed and Emily practically insisted my friend stayed over in one of the spare rooms.
"Hey," I greet her, frowning slightly. "I thought you'd be asleep, I hope we didn't wake you,"
"You didn't, don't worry," She signals towards the pot of tea she seems to have just made. I nod gratefully, slipping onto the seat by the breakfast bar. After pouring, she slides the mug of hot tea over towards me. "Why aren't you blissfully asleep with Em? I could of sworn she was doing her very best to tire you out before,"
"Sorry," I laugh at her predictable wink, sipping at my tea. "I may have started that,"
"Hardly surprising," She comments, clutching her hands around her mug. "You couldn't keep your eyes off her before. This house is fucking mint,"
"Yeah, it's pretty fucking awesome," I smile, unable to think anything in this moment, other than how proud I am of Emily that she has worked so hard for everything she now has. "Are you sure you don't mind me staying here?"
"I'll miss you," She answers suddenly, throwing a weakened grin in my direction. "But you should be here. Everything for you is here, fuck shitty old Bristol, why would you remotely even consider going back there?"
"It's been home," I reply simply. "Do you think I'm rushing into this?"
"Normally I'd say yes," She starts truthfully. I knew there was more to come. "But, it's not like you're walking into this with your eyes shut, is it? It's Emily, it's everything you've ever bloody wanted since you were at school. I think you're doing the right thing,"
"I'll pay you next month's rent on the flat for leaving you in the shit,"
"No you won't. You need every penny you own now you have a kid to provide for," I know she's teasing, in that all too predictable way she does. I drink some more tea and we keep chatting for a few more minutes until it's done. "Right, I'm off to bed in my overly spacious room for the night,"
"Thanks Zo',"
"For what?" She frowns after placing a friendly kiss on my cheek.
"Being a really fucking good friend. I owe you,"
"Ewww. Don't be a soppy twat, Naoms," She laughs at me, this time placing a kiss on the top of my head. "Now get yourself back to bed before that lovely lady of yours wakes and finds you elsewhere. I'll see you in the morning, yeah?"
"Yeah. Goodnight,"